Map of Ireland

Map of Ireland, showing the town of Enniscorthy near the eastern coast, in County Wexford.

Enniscorthy, from Old Irish "Inis Corthaidh" meaning "Island of the rocks", is the second-largest town in County Wexford.
Current population is about 9,500 inhabitants. With a history going back to 465, Enniscorthy is one of the longest
continuously-occupied sites in Ireland.

The town is situated on the River Slaney in the center of the county, 24 km (15 miles) north of the county town, Wexford.
It is 74 km (46 miles) south of Dublin. The river has gouged steep sides in the surrounding rock over the millennia to
create the distinctive hilly feel of the town.

It is known as the Rebel Town because of the famous Battle of Vinegar Hill during the '1798 Rising' when about 10,000
British soldiers launched an attack on the Irish rebels encamped on nearby Vinegar Hill, the largest camp and headquarters
of the Wexford Irish. Armed with only agricultural pikes, the rebels were making one last desperate attempt against the
crown forces armed with rifles and cannon. 20,000 of the rebels were massacred in the four-week battle.

Today, Enniscorthy is a thriving market town, and the area has a well developed crafts industry most particularly in
pottery, for which it is justifiably renowned.

Three views of Enniscorthy, on the River Slaney

The town is dominated by Enniscorthy Castle. This impressive Norman castle
dates from 1205 and was a private dwelling until 1951. The castle was the site of many fierce battles during the Cromwellian
years (1649-1658) and also the 1798 Rising.

Also in Enniscorthy, there is St. Aidan's Cathedral standing on a towering hill overlooking the river.